FIFA published a set of limited edition prints for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This followed on its first series published for the World Cup in Germany in 2006, which was a huge success financially and enhanced the image of the World Cup internationally.  The South African series included works by 17 international artists such as such as William Kentridge, Marlene Dumas and Romero Britto highlighting art or artists from Africa.

For 2014, FIFA has published a series of prints by 23 international artists spanning the last 60 years with some from the 20th century and many who are still active, all the selected works representing sport, football and/or Brazil in a variety of witty and colourful ways.  The edition is limited to – yes- 2014 and there are also several where a smaller edition of 50 are available hand-signed by the artists.  The artists include Vik Miniz, Jeff Koons, Gabriel Orozco, Fernand Léger and Keith Haring.  Some works are fairly obvious in the links with football; some take more thought.  

While the initiative is a worthwhile one, in some ways it is a pity that all the prints are copies of existing works. Perhaps for the next World Cup, FIFA could consider specially commissioning one or two from young artists, perhaps by competition, so that they are unique to the World Cup and support young artists who have just started to become established.